October 2014 A Little Bit of Everything

I could make dozens of excuses as to why my blog is months behind, but truthfully, we have just been busy with life.  So, I guess that is okay.  When you are exhausted at the end of the day and can be thankful for those last 24 hours, life is pretty good.  I'll just move right along through the next three months, so I can get caught up because 2015 is going to be a fun year…I hope!

Both Thomas and Allison played soccer for ISB this year.  Thomas was on the CESSIB (Council of English Speaking Schools in Benelux) team for grades 6, 7, and 8.  Allison was on the JV team this year.  Playing for the school, they have the opportunity to travel to other International Schools.  Rather than staying in hotels, the host players have our ISB kids for the night in their homes.  Thus far, it has proved to be a very positive experience with the kids truly enjoying different cultures…even if they have to eat strange, new foods.  

CESSIB B Boys - I should note this is only half the team.  With 42..yes 42…boys on the team, Thomas really only played half the season.  The boys alternated games. It was really a bummer, but he learned a lot about soccer and even more about being a good teammate.  His coaches were fantastic.

If there is one thing I have learned….sports photography is HARD.  This is about as good as it got this season.  I'm going to have to keep practicing with this one.

Distracting her brother on the sideline.

JV Girls
Allison didn't get as much playing time as she would have liked this season, but she enjoyed the sport, playing with her teammates, and being an ISB athlete.

A foggy Saturday morning game.

Halloween!

We celebrate early here because Halloween falls during fall break.  The American Women's Club of Brussels hosted "Trunk or Treat" again this year.  It was a huge success!

Our trunk all ready to go!

Trick or treating around the parking lot.

Wendy V, Wendy W-S, and Wendy K.  :)

I took some flower arranging classes this fall.  Loved them!

It rains here…a lot!  But, with a lot of rain comes these beauties (once in a while.)

Just a little storm that rolled through a soccer game.  They kept right on playing.  That line down the middle of the photo is a lightening strike.  Of course I was a little stressed!

The calm after the storm.

I no longer have the luxury of late night trips to Wal-mart to pick up cupcakes for treats the next day.  I bake here…a lot!  Thank you to Chris for bringing the candy corn pumpkins back from the states.

Each fall, the Elementary School celebrates with the International Community Morning. With nearly 70 countries represented at our school, it is a wonderful opportunity to learn about our different cultures.  For this event, parents provide food from their countries for the kids to taste while other parents share traditions/crafts/dance activities.  It is an amazing event!  Nothing says USA like cupcakes.

Note:  USA cupcakes are long gone.  They were on the Halloween platter.

Learning some new moves!

The Middle School participates in a Run-A-Thon each October.  I had the pleasure of helping with this event as well.  With a little hesitation and embarrassment, Allison allowed me to snap a picture of her advisory class.  I'm so embarrassing!

She did an awesome job!

Trick or Treat night before fall break!

Thomas opted to be a werewolf this time.  We heard there were actually a lot of kiddos out on Halloween night this year.  I think it is really catching on in Belgium, so we might have to be back in town to celebrate the real holiday for 2015.

Houses are marked where you can trick or treat.  They go all out!!!

What a scary bunch!

We loved seeing our favorite Aussies!

Yep, those are ISB moms!  Love it!!!

Friday market in our town.

Allison's creations for dinner.

ISB Night (our school fundraiser) is a fantastic night out!

Nice shoe tote!

Maybe a bit overdressed for public transportation.

FANCY!  The event was held at Concert Noble, a suite of 19th century rooms, originally commissioned to host the Belgian aristocracy.  This is not typical dining for the Vastines…..

The ladies of the table.

And, the gentlemen!

My date…not too shabby! ;)

Pumpkin carving (sorry, a bit out of order)

Signage in Belgium.  Oh darn.  I had to look at Rob all week.  Hehehehe!

And, those are the odds and ends of October.  We ended the month with a trip to Portugal. That is up next!

Until next time,

Wendy

The Vastines take on Rome!

We set foot in Italy at 6:30 P.M. on Monday, October 29th.  For those of you who may be traveling to Rome, we flew into Ciampino Airport which is about 40 minutes from the city.  Rather than paying 100+ euros for transportation to the city, we booked seats on a Terravision charter bus for only 4 euros per person.  The bus dropped us at Termini Station and from there we took the metro to our hotel.  It was really seamless...thank goodness!  We recommend this over trying to drive in the city, and it was far more affordable than a private driver.

Since this was our first trip to Italy, of course we did all of the touristy stuff.  First stop was Trevi Fountain which was in walking distance from our hotel.  Turns out most of the city was within walking distance, but that is another story.  So, once you get past all of the guys trying to sell you plastic toys that splat all over the ground and make an annoying sound, as well as those in your face trying to give you roses and then expect payment, you get to enjoy the enormity of Trevi Fountain.  You can hear it from at least a block away, and it is quite a site...especially at night.

The kids threw their coin in the fountain...the coin has to be in your right hand and you throw it over your left shoulder.  This will assure a return trip to Italy.  I sure hope so!

After dinner, which consisted of pizza and lasagna of course, we stopped at the Spanish Steps.  

A lovely view of St. Peter's Basilica from the top of the Spanish Steps. 

Sitting on the steps...which apparently you must do when in Rome.  I really just added this picture to prove I was there.  I'm rarely in the pictures. :)

All of this niceness has a purpose.  They would pose for the picture and say, "Gelato!"  They knew if they were nice to each other they would get to enjoy the delicious treat.  Smart kids!

Getting a drink from the fountain at the bottom of the steps.

Our friends here in Brussels recommended San Crispino for Gelato.  Wow!  It did not disappoint and was delicious!!!  It's just two blocks from Trevi Fountain.

And finally, our hotel room at Hotel Alexandra.  It was a nice, quaint hotel just 50 meters from the Barberini metro stop which was very convenient.  Except for the running toilet, wobbly cabinets, unreliable wifi, and the window that wouldn't lock...it was a nice place to stay. :)  In all seriousness, I would stay here again.  And, Hard Rock Cafe was just down the street.  YUM!

The kids room.  I must say, they act like they hate each other all day.  Complaining about one another then entire time, but when they get their own little space in the hotel room, they are all giggles and won't go to sleep.  I don't get it!

And, that concludes our first evening in Rome.  Check back for more Roman adventures!

Until next time,
Wendy